Arc-lamp.



R. FLEMING & G. A. B. HALVORSON, J11.

. ARC LAMP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16,1904.

901,529. Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

"Inventors:

Witnesses:

. Richard Flemin /u1 CromwellA.B.Halvorsor%..lr.,

R. FLEMING & G. A. B. HALVORSON, JR.

ARC LAMP.

APPLICATION TILED MAY 16,1904.

Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

/g z m u 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inventorsv Richard Fleming, Cromwel l A.B.Ha lvorson, Jr,

m U a will P UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD FLEMING AND CROMWELL A. B. HALVORSON, JR., OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ARC-LAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 20, 1908.

Application filed May 16, 1904. Serial No. 208,125.

To all whom it may cohcern:

Be it known that we, RICHARD FLEMING and CRoMwELL A. B. HALVORSON, Jr.,citizens of the United States, residing at Lynn, county of Essex, State of, Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Arc-Lamps, of which the folowing is a specification.

Our resent invention relates to are lamps, particiilarly of that character described in an application for patent on arclamps filed by us November 16, 1903, the serial number of which is 181,332. In the arc lam shown in detail in that application the i1 umination comes largely from the are between a consuming negative electrode and-a non-consuming positive electrode, suitable provisions being made for starting and regulating an are between the electrodes and for disposin of the products of combustion of the arc.

ile the lamp which we have hereinafter described in detail is of the same eneral character as the one described an illustrated in the application referred to, it differs in some respects and comprises important improvements in construction nd eration over the lamp described "n t e above-noted application.

The various features of novelty which characterize our invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a art of this specification. The

invention itsef maybe better understood, however, by reference to the accompanying description and drawings in which we have described and illustrated embodiments of our resent invention.

0 the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective viewshowing an arc lamp embodymg our present invention with a portion of the globe broken away; Fig. 2 is a view showin the method of inserting a reflector in the amp globe; Fig. 3 is a reduced section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 looking u ward; Fig. 4 is an elevation with parts bro en away and in section showing one form of upper electrode and support; Fig. 5 is a view taken at right angles to Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a pers ective' view of the lamp with the casing an globe removed; Fig. 7 is a view similar-and taken at. right angles to Fig. 6 with parts in'section Fig. 8 is an elevation showlng the form of upper electrode and support used in the lamp shown in Figs. 1, 6 and 7; andFig. 9 is a dia- In the drawings, -1 represents a cap of hood which is provided with a centrally located tubular member 2 threaded interiorly at its lower end to receive one endof the tubular member 3. The upper end of the member 3 also has threaded upon it a hood 4. A bushing 5 which may be formed of porcelain or other suitable insulating and refractory material surrounds the member 2 and carries onits outer periphery a resistance conductor 6. The bushing 5 is supported by posts 8 from the hood member 4, and is surrounded by a casing 9 which is supported from the hood member 1 but is separated therefrom somewhat. Apertures 2 are formed in the upper end of the member 2 through which gases may pass from member 2 into the outside air above the bushing 5 and casing 9. The bushing 5 is separated from the member2 and from the casing 9 by spaces through which air may circulate. To increase this circulation a space is left between the lower end of the casing'Q and the top of the hood member4.

The lower end ofthe member 3 carries, preferabl by a threaded connection, a diskshaped p atform 10. A tubular member 11 is secured against but insulated from the lower side of the platform 10. Screws 13 threaded into bosses or lugs formed on the opposite sides of the member 11 pivotally support a pair of members 14. One end of eac member 14 is ivot'ally connected to a yoke member 15. ne end of an arc sha edbar 16, of some conducting material suc as wrought copper, is secured between the other ends of the member 14. The other end of the bar 16 normally substantially closes a slot 16 in the wall of the member 11.

The bar 16 forms the startin portion of the positive electrode of the amp. The screws 13 also pivotally support a pair of members 17. A member 18 is clamped between the members 17 by screws 19. The member 18 which forms the working portion of the positive electrode is formed of some conducting material not readily oxidized at comparatively high temperatures, such as wrought copper, and comprises a flat portion 20 and two extensions 21 and 22 which may be stamped or unched into shape. The extensions 21 and 22, which are similar to each other, are tubular in she e with their bores in line with each other an substantially horizontal when the mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 8. The member 19 normally extends through a slot 19 formed for the purpose in the side of the member 1 1 with the extension 21 held in line with the axis of the member 11 by gravity, the inward movement of the member 18 being limited by the en- "gagfment of the members 17 with the outer we of the member 11. The member 18 is symmetrical about the line a a of Fig. 8. Duplicate holes are formed in the plate portion 20 through which the screws 19 may pass to secure the members 17 and 18 together in such manner that the extension 22 may assume the position occupied by the extension 21 in Fig. 6. p p a A pair of vertical solenoid coils 25 are secured to the member 3 below the hood 4. A U-shaped armature 25 the legs of which enter these coils has secured to its yoke a bar or rod 26 which passes through an aperture formed for the urpose in the platform 10. The lower end of the rod 26 is plvotally con nected. to the yoke member 15. A post 27, having its lower end secured to but insulated from the latform 10 and its upper end secured to a racket 28 carried by but insulated from the member 3, extends parallel to the member 3 to a point near its upper end. A guide rod 29 is carried by the bracket 28 and extends parallel to the post 27 to a point near its lower end. A tubular member 30 slides on the guide rod 29. The tubular member 30 passes through an aperture formed for the pur ose in the disk member 10 and carries at its ower end an arm 31 which is provided with a socket in which the consuming electrode 32 of the lamp is held in line with the axis of the tubular member 11. Rotation of the member 30 is prevented by a bracket or guide arm carried at the u per end of the member 30 a portion of which engages and is guided by the post 27. The consuming electrode of the lam is referably formed of or contains some s ow y-consuming material which gives a flaming or luminous are such as titanium carbid, titanium oxid, magnetite or the like. The exact composition of the electrode, however, forms no part of the present invention.

The tubular member 30 is surrounded above the platform 10 by the yoke members of clutches 33 and 34. A pawl cooperating with and pivoted to the yoke member of the clutch 33 has its outer. end pivotally connected to the lower end of a bent arm 35. The other end of the arm 35 is secured to the outer member 36 of a dash pot. The inner member 37 of the dash pot is secured to the platform 10. A rojection 38 carried by the armature 25' is s aped to en a e the arm 35 and" the member 36 of the as pot after a small initial upward movement of the armature 25. The pawl member of the clutch 34 has a large aperture formed in it through which the post 27 extends. This prevents angular displacement of the clutch 34. A helical spring, one end of which is secured to the bracket 28 and the other end of which is secured to the outer end of the pawl of the clutch 34, serves to normally look the clutch 34'to the tubular member 30. A stop 39 adjustably secured to the post 27 serves to limit the upward movement of the clutch 34. A sto 39' in-the form of a boss from the support for the lower end of the post 27 limits the downward movement of the clutch 34 and the tubular member 30.

A ring-sha ed member 40 surrounds the tubular mem er 30 between the latform 10 and the yoke of the clutch 34. rod 41 connected to the member 40 passes through the platform 10. By forcing the ring 40 upward until the pawl of the clutch 34 engages the stop 39, the member 30 can be freed from the clutch 34 and the member 30 lowered for trimming or other purposes.

A support 42, which may be tubular and formed of insulating material, is secured to the u per side of the platform 10 and has woun about it a resistance conductor 43. A contact member in the form of a split ring 44 can be clamped about the member 42 to engage the resistance conductor 43. By adjusting the position of the ring along the support 42 contact can be made with different portions of the conductor 43.

A suitable casing 45 carried by the hood 4 surrounds the lamp mechanism located between the hood 4 and the platform 10. A globe 46 is supported from the lower end of the casing 45 1n any suitable manner. The globe 46 is formed with apertures 47 and 48 at its u per and lower ends respectively. A suitable member 49 is formed to more or less completely close the opening 48 of the globe.

A reflector member 50, in the form of a disk-shaped piece of metal or the like and having a polished under surface, is secured to the lower end of the member 11 b screws 52. The member 50 is formed wit a centrally located aperture 53 in line with the passage in the tubular member 11, and has one side cut away or recessed at 54. It is frequently desirable that the diameter of the reflector member 50 should be larger than the. diameter of the openings in the lobe 46. By cutting away a portion of the re ector as indicated at 54 the reflector can be threaded into the globe as shown in Fig. 2 without difficulty. The recess also receives the member 30 and rod 41.

The circuit connections of the lamp can be seen from the diagram shown in Fig. 9. Referring to this figure, and 61 represent conductors supplying current to the lamp. A conductor 62 is shown as leading from the conductor 61 to the screw 13 which is in electrical connection with both portions of the positive electrode of the lamp. With the lamp as actually constructed, connection is made to the member 11, which is connected to the members 16 and 18 by the pivots 13 and members 14 and 17, respectively. In addition the flexible conductor 63 is employed to connect the member 11 to the member 18.

One terminal of the Winding of the coils 25, which are in series with each other, is connected to the conductor 62 at a point 65. The other terminal of the windin is connected to the tubular member an thereby to the negative electrode 32 by a flexible conductor 66. A conductor 67 connects the conductor to one terminal of the resistance conductor 6. The other terminal of the resistance conductor 6 is connected to the resistance conductor 43 by a conductor 44, as has heretofore been explained. The lower end of the resistance conductor 43 is connected to the lower electrode 32.

The inoperative or out-of-service condition of the lamp mechanism is the same as the running condition of the mechanism. This is shown in Figs. 1, 6, 8 and 9. In this condition of the lamp, the upper end of the electrode 32 is separated from the lower surface of the extension 21 as shown. When the lamp is ut in circuit, the winding of the coils 25 is immediately energized and the armature 25 is raised. The initial upward movement of the armature does not disturb the member 18.

After a very slight initial movement of the armature the free end of the bar 16 impinges against the inner end of the extensions 21 with some violence, after which the members 16 and 18 will rock about their common ivoted axis together. After a small inltial movement of the armature the projection 38 will engage the arm 35 and move it and the dash pot member 36 upward. This elevates the upper member 36 of the dash pot. The dash pot is so constructed, however, that it opposes no resistance to the upward movement of the armature.

The upward movement of the arms 35 causes the outer end of the pawl member of the clutch 33 to be raised. This, locks the clutch to the tubularmember 30, after which the tubular member 30 and the electrode 32 move upward with the armature. As the helical spring normally holds the clutch 34 locked to the member 30, the clutch member 34 will move upward with the member 30 until the pawl engages the stop 39, after which further upward movement of the member 30 will take place without corresponding movement of the clutch 34.

When the upper end of the electrode 32 impinges against the under surface of the bar 16, current will begin to flow between the bar and the electrode 32. The passage of current between the bar and the electrode so reduces the voltage on the terminals of the winding of the coils 25 which are in shunt to the electrodes that the armature will drop to its initial position, thus allowing the extension 21 to move back into its original position. As the armature moves downward the tubular member 30 will begin to descend, drawing an are between the bar 16 and the end of the electrode 32. By reason of the dash pot acting to control only the movement of the lower electrode the upper end of the arc will be transferred from the bar 16 to the member 18 before the electrode 32 has moved very far on its downward course. The downward movement of the member 30 is limited by the engagement of the pawl of the clutch 34 with the stop 39. It will thus be seen that the length of the arc struck at each feeding operation will always be equal to the movement of the pawl of the clutch between the stops 39 and 39. The movement of the armature and the clutch 33 should always be enough greater than the movement of the clutch 34 to allow the member 30 to be pulled through the clutch 34 a distance equal to the amount of electrode consumed since the previous feeding operation, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 6 and 7. When the armature is down the yoke of the clutch 33 rests on the yoke of the clutch 34 and the clutch 33 is thus freed from the member 30. In the upper position of the armature when the member 30 has been pulled through the yoke of the clutch 34 the yokes of the clutches 33 and 34 are separated by a distance equal to the relative movement of the member 30 and the clutch 34.

The relatively long flaming are obtained from a consuming negative electrode of the general nature specified above is much less sensitive than a carbon arc, and uite wide variations in the voltage of the arc ength occur from time to time without endangering the stability of the arc.

We have found that we can advantageously construct the parts so that the regulating winding will be operatively energized and the armature raised only when the volta e of the arc rises much beyond its normal va ue. For instance, when the arc length employed insures a normal voltage of say 85 volts when the arc is first struck, and it is de sired that a feeding operation shall occur after an electrode consumption iving such an arc length that the normal vo tage of the are then existing is about 95 volts the feeding mechanism can advantageously be set to operate upon an increase of arc voltage to about 135 volts. This is because of the fact that with arcs of the character described of a length such that the normal voltage is 95 volts, variations in voltage to a maximunr less than 135 volts may occur from time to time without seriously affecting the stability of the arc of the light produced.

After the arc is established in the manner hereinbefore described, ordinarily no movement of the lower electrode takes lace until, from increase in arc length or ot or causes, the arc goes out. In case the are increases in voltage Without breaking to a point where the coils 25 are operatively energized and the armature raised somewhat from its lower position the consequent shifting of the upper end of the are from the rather massive extension 21 to the comparatively thin and cool bar 16 will cause an immediate rupture of the are.

The force of the blow which the free end of the bar 16 strikes against the inner end of the member 18 in the feeding operation of the lamp is sufficient to shake off most of the arc protucts which may have been deposited upon the member 18. The tubular members 11, 3 and 2 form a chimney draft tube by means of which the gases from the arc may be carried away from the lamp. Suitable provisions should be made for the admittance of the proper amount of air into the globe 46.

The formation of a positive electrode in two relatively movable parts facilitates inspection and cleanin of the draft tube or chimney which may %ecome necessary from time to time, as by pulling both portions of the electrode out of the draft tube or chimney free access can be had to its interior.

In Fi s. 4 and 5 we have shown a modification of t e upper electrode of the lamp. The

only difference between this construction and that previously described consists in the formation of the working part 18 of the positive electrode. In this form of our invention a single projection 21 is employed from which the arc may extend. In the running position of this form of our invention the extension 21 is held in line with the axis of the member 11. In this position a flange or proj ection 68 formed on the part 18 abuts against the outer wall of the member 11 and completely closes the slot 19.

All those skilled in the art will readily understand that many changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts composing the lamp described Without departing from the spirit of our invention, and We do not intend that the claims hereinafter named shall be limited to the particular construction described more than is made necessary by the state of the art.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,

1. In an arc lamp, a positive electrode formed In two arts, and means for causing a somewhat v10 ent engagement between the parts at intervals in the operation of the and for reciprocating the other of said electrodes in the feeding operation of the lamp, and a dash pot for controlling the movement of the reciprocating electrode only.

3. In an arc lamp, a pair of electrodes brought together to strike an arc, and means for thereafter rapidly rocking one of said electrodes and for slowly moving the other of said electrodes away from the rocking electrode.

4. In an arc lamp, an electrode comprisin a pivoted working portion and a pivote starting portion, means for normally holding the startlng portion out of engagement with the working portion, and means for causing the starting portion to engage the working portion after a small initial movement in the feeding operation of the lamp.

' 5. In an arc lamp, an electrode comprising a pivoted working portion and a pivoted starting portion, a regulating winding, a cooperating armature connected to the starting portion, and an operative connection between the starting portion and the working portion whereby when the regulating wind- 1ng is energized and the armature is attracted the starting portion will be oscillated by the armature and the working portion will be oscillated by the starting portion.

6. In an arc lamp, a pivoted non-consuming electrode and a reciprocating consuming electrode, means for oscillating the non consuming electrode and for reci rocating the consuming electrode in he feeding operation of the lamp, and a dash pot for preventing a rapid movement of the consuming electrode after the arc is struck.

7. In an arc lamp, a draft tube or chimney having openings formed in it, a movable electrode normally extending through said opening with a portion located within said tube or chimney, and a projection abutting against the outer surface of said tube or chimney.

8. In an arc lam an electrode having a starting portion an a working portion, and electrode feeding mechanism for starting an are from said starting portion slowly increasing the length of said are and while the are is still short causing a relative movement be tween it and said electrode, whereby the arc thereafter extends from said working portion.

9. In an arc lamp, an electrode formed in two parts, and means for causing a somewhat violent engagement between the parts at intervals in the operation of the lam 10. I11 an arc lamp, an electrode formed in two parts, and means for causing a somewhat violent engagement between the parts at each feeding operation of the lam 11. In an arc lamp, an electroc e compris-. -1ng two pivoted portlons, another electrode,

means for moving said other electrode into engagement with one part of the first mentioned electrode, means for thereafter slowly 'means for then rapidly causing the arc to be maintained from the working part of the first-mentioned electrode.

13. In an arc lamp, a movable electrode having a starting. portion and a working portion, another electrode, means for bringing about an enga ement between said other electrode and said starting portion to start a flow of current between the electrodes, and means for thereafter slowly separating said electrodes to draw an arc between them and for rapidly moving the first-mentioned electrode to cause the arc. to be maintained from the working portion. I

14. In anarclam an, electrode having a starting portion an a workiniportion, an-

other electrode, feeding mec anism coinprising a winding and a moyable armature, a

connection between the first-mentioned electrode and the armature whereby the firstmentioned electrode is moved by the movement of the armature in either direction, .a connection betweenthe armature and said other electrode whereby the said other electrode is positively moved by the movement of the armature in one direction only, and a dash pot for controlling the moveme'nt of said other electrode in the opposite direction without controlling the movement of the armature.

' 15. In an arc lamp, a chinmey or draft tube having slots formed therein, and an ofsaid parts entering the chimney through one of said slots and the other of said parts entering said chimney through the other of said slots.

16. In an arc lamp, a draft tube or chimney member, an electrode comprising two parts separately pivoted to said member and extending into line with the passage therein from opposite sides thereof to normally form a continuous member extending transversely but capable of being spread apart to move them out of line with said passage.

17. In an arc lam a draft tube or chimney, and an electrode comprising two relatively movable portions, each of which is moved transversely across the line of the axis of said tubeat one stage or another in the feeding operation of the lamp, and both of which may be' moved out of the draft tube to facilitate cleaning of the latter.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 13th day of May, 1904.

RICHARD FLEMING. CROMWELIA'A. B. HALVORSON, JR. Witnesses:

DUGALD MoK. .MOKILLOP, JoHN J WALKER;

electrode formed in two separable parts, one

across the passage in said chimney member 

